Crystal Palace head coach Pierre Sage has moved to reassure supporters that striker Jean-Philippe Mateta remains fully committed to the club, despite an ongoing legal dispute over his contract.
Mateta's future at Selhurst Park has been the subject of speculation after it emerged he had taken Palace to court in an attempt to challenge the validity of a one-year contract extension the club activated in 2024. A Premier League tribunal has since ruled that the Frenchman is bound to honour the terms of his deal, but questions remain over his long-term commitment to the south London club.
Despite the legal wrangle, Sage was adamant that the situation has not affected Mateta's application on the training ground or in matches. Speaking to reporters on Wednesday, the Palace boss said he speaks with the striker daily and sees no signs of discontent.
"I speak with him every day and, in front of me, I have a guy that is funny, happy to be here," Sage said. "He gives his best in every session. I didn't see a player who has a problem with the club or with us, that's why he played the last game as a starter."
Mateta started for Palace in their Premier League opener against Everton, a match the Eagles lost, though the striker failed to find the net. Sage pointed to that selection as evidence that there is no rift behind the scenes.
"You imagine if we had a problem with him, he would not play as a starter," Sage added. "Now it is just a problem that will be resolved. It is maybe (the problem) with the man but not with the player, if you want."
The coach went further, predicting that Mateta will remain at Palace beyond the current transfer window and throughout the season, citing the forward's evident love for playing football over any contractual grievances.
"I think he (Mateta) will stay and, like I told you, he has the behaviour of someone who is happy to be here, who wants to be here and prepared to be here all season. I have no doubt about that," Sage said. "He prefers football to his contract. When you love to play, you play. The guy is wonderful."
Sage also acknowledged that Mateta is still building match sharpness after a limited pre-season, having only trained for two weeks before the Everton fixture. "The player only trained for two weeks so he's not perfect. If he was perfect, he would play every game and score 10 goals but that's not the case for anybody," he explained.
The Palace manager adopted a similarly composed tone when discussing winger Ismaila Sarr, who has attracted interest from both Liverpool and Galatasaray. Sarr missed the defeat to Everton due to a groin injury and is currently working through individual training rather than with the squad, a situation Sage insists is purely medical rather than related to transfer speculation.
Asked directly whether Sarr could depart before the transfer deadline, Sage highlighted the player's contractual situation as a deterrent to any exit. "When you have three years on the contract, it is not easy to leave," he said.
On the injury itself, Sage admitted the recovery timeline has taken longer than initially hoped. "Ismaila Sarr is in individual training because he is really in pain with his groin. But we prepare him, he needs time. I thought it would be quicker, but I am not a doctor. That is why I wait for him and we prepare for him to come back with us," he said.
With both Mateta's contract saga and Sarr's fitness and transfer situation still unresolved, Palace face a delicate balancing act as they look to build on their opening weeks of the season.
Based on reporting from Standard Sport.